Freedom Flight by Lanny Bassham
Freedom Flight is one of the most powerful books I have ever read. It is a short book that you can read in one hour. Lanny, the author, was an Olympic silver medalist when he met Jack on a trip to El Cairo for a shooting competition. Jack was a prisoner of war for more than six years in North Vietnam. He shares his moving story with Lanny. Their encounter ultimately motivates Lanny to continue his pursue for Olympic gold and to find the purpose of his life.
The first time I read this book, I cried. Today I read it for the fourth time. If you are feeling trapped, anxious, or bored in the current situation, I encourage you to take one hour of your time to read this book. You will learn that you have the power to be free in whatever situation you find yourself in. You will get the chance to reflect about your life. You might even find strategies to practice your craft and stay entertained through these times. This story changed Lanny’s life. I hope it has a positive impact in yours too.
Here are some of my favorite quotes from this book:
“Saying that prison was a blessing seems strange and must be explained. You see Lanny, the box experience provided the time and solitude to address critical issues about my life. Prior to imprisonment, I never took the time to reflect on anything about what my environment presented to me… When sleepy, I found a comfortable bed. When lonely, I just called a friend. Everything was provided, I lacked nothing, so nothing seemed really important.”
“Everything that happens in your life doesn’t just happen. There is a plan to it, if you just open your eyes and see it.”
“The greater your achievement becomes, the greater the possibility of influencing others. That’s a responsibility you’d better acknowledge.”
References:
Bassham, L. (2008). Freedom Flight - The Origins of Mental Power. Flower Mound: Mental Management Systems.
